Page 53 of My Dear Mr. Corporate

CHAPTER 24

Tate

2 MILLION DOLLAR REWARD

MISSING

Billionaire Businessman and C.E.O. of Rosenbaum Holdings, Tate Rosenbaum, offers a 2 million dollar reward for any information leading to the whereabouts of his partner, 22 year old Bryan Cummings. Mr. Cummings was last seen two days ago forced from his vehicle on Dickens Street.

Call 858-524-3686 or the nearest police station.

In disgust, I threw the newspaper across the room and pounded my fist on the desk. Nothing. Although the ad had been placed on the front cover of every newspaper in San Diego yesterday no one had called to give any information. The police had reported being contacted, but all the callers had been fishing with information just to collect the reward without delivering. I had been so sure the money would be tempting enough for someone who had seen something to speak out. Someone had to know where Bryan was.

My eyes burned from a lack of sleep. I had tried to sleep last night but woke up with nightmares of finding Bryan’s body. The nightmare had sent me rushing to the bathroom to spill my guts. I wouldn’t give up hope. I refused to believe he was dead. I had worried myself into a migraine last night as I tried to figure out what this was about. No matter what I came up with it all linked back to me. It had to be. Bryan didn’t have anyone in his life who would have wanted to hurt him. Not that I could think about.

As the police came up empty, I found my thoughts drifting to Gio. I didn’t want to think him capable but who else was there? Could he have been triggered by my visit that night? I hadn’t once spoken to him since the abduction. I ignored his calls all day until he stopped calling. It was better that way as I couldn’t be sure I wouldn’t accuse him without evidence.

At this point, I didn’t even care if they caught the criminal. It could be the perpetrator himself returning Bryan to collect the reward. I just wanted him back for good. I kept seeing him as he had been that morning, reliving his kiss, our conversation.

I wasn’t ready to lose him. I would never be ready to lose him, but this was way too soon. We had barely been given the opportunity to explore our relationship. There was still so much I hadn’t said to him, so much I hadn’t shown him. I wasn’t a very religious man, but I prayed like hell for Bryan’s return. Hell, if I knew how to get through to Buddha I would have done that too. I was just so desperate for him to come home.

I tried to delve into work to wile the time away, my phone always beside me. I would have preferred to stay home so I would be there when Bryan returned but the police had advised me to continue with my daily routine. If a ransom was being sought the abductor would likely contact me at work since the security at my estate was so tight. That was the only reason I was here at work.

Once again, the media was having a frenzy with my name. I hated that they turned the attention from Bryan who was missing to Kathleen and Rachel, digging up dirt that had been settled ages ago. This morning I had even read an account that insinuated, without exactly spelling it out, that it was suspicious for me to have two spouses in car crashes. It was all a distraction and I couldn’t be distracted from what really mattered.

The phone on my desk buzzed and I grabbed it before the end of the first ring.

“Yes?” I snapped into the receiver.

“Mr. Rosenbaum, I’ve someone here to see you,” the young temp acting as my secretary announced. “Should I send him in?”

“Who is it? If it has nothing to do with Bryan I don’t want to see him.”

She didn’t respond, and I heard mumbling before a male voice came over the phone. “Mr. Rosenbaum this is Jeremy. You met me at my lingerie shop some weeks ago. I have some information that may or may not help you with regards to Bryan’s disappearance.”

Finally! Someone who knew something. I hadn’t even thought of contacting him, but Bryan had indicated they had lunch that afternoon of the night he was kidnapped. Maybe something had happened, or he had said something to this Jeremy fellow for him to have some clue as to where Bryan was.

“Come on in,” I invited him and hung up.

I stood when he entered the room, vaguely seeing he was dressed differently today. Wearing skinny jeans and a graphic T, he resembled a young punk high school teen, although he had to be in his late twenties.

“Jeremy, thanks for getting in touch,” I said in greeting. “You can have a seat.”

He waved a hand and bangles clattered around his wrist. “I’ll be fine standing. I do have to get back to the shop soon.”

“You said you have information about Bryan?”

He nodded. “I saw the reward in the paper and that’s how I knew he was missing. Not that I am here for a reward, I just want him to be found. The few times we’ve talked, he struck me as a good guy who doesn’t deserve for this to happen to him.”

“Thanks. You had lunch with him that afternoon?”

He nodded and slipped his thumbs into the front pockets of his skinny jeans. “Something strange happened when we were in the restaurant. At least I thought nothing of it, but he thought it strange. His ex and I think he said your best friend were having lunch together. Bryan thought they were up to something.”

The feeling of betrayal that coursed through me mounted into rage. Gio was responsible for this? Did he not take me seriously when I’d warned him if he came near Bryan he would regret this?

“I don’t know if that information helps,” Jeremy continued. “I hope so.”

I nodded. “Thank you. It helps. If your lead does get him back, the reward is yours.”

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